Ball socket attachment for impact tool



March 9, 1965 v. E. GONZALEZ 3,172,675

BALL SOCKET ATTACHMENT FOR IMPACT TOOL.

Filed Feb. 19, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 5 fi 6 y 40 F157. 3. ,2 ,.-.r'- 4e 51 l4 T4 45 3 l 49 u 56 3% s & Y? 51 I 60 m S 3 32 INVENTOR- T; VICTOR E.GONZALES March 9, 1965 v. E. GONZALEZ BALL SOCKET ATTACHMENT FOR IMPACT TOOL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 19, 1963 zM/I M. 4 f 1 O INVENTOR. VICTOR E. GONZALES United States Patent 3,172,675 BALL SOCKET ATTACHMENT FOR IMPACT TOOL Victor E. Gonzalez, 13671 Hope St., Garden Grove, Calif. Filed Feb. 19, 1963, Ser. No. 259,611 8 Claims. (Cl. 279-2) This invention relates to coupling devices, and more particularly to coupling devices for tools and tool holding devices incorporating a ball means for retaining a driven tool in working relation with a driving member.

According to the invention there is provided a coupling device which extends axially through a driving member to releasably engage a tool such as a wrench or the like on a drive shaft. The coupling device includes a rod extending axially through the drive shaft and carrying a flange which cooperates with a ball movable in a radial bore formed in the drive shaft. The rod is biased axially in the drive shaft towards the ball by spring means in the shaft. A manually operable button or head permits the rod to be moved in the shaft for releasing the ball. The ball in its outermost position in the bore engages in a recess of a tool removably mounted on the shaft. When the ball is in its innermost position the tool is released and can be removed from the shaft. Further spring means can be provided to hold the rod in a retracted position in the shaft. Suitable adapters can be provided for connecting the shaft to tools having different sizes of sockets. The adapters can be made in various axial lengths to increase the versatility of use of the tools held thereby. The invention is adapted for installation in power tools driven by electric motors, hydraulic motors, pneumatic motors, etc. The invention can also be installed in tools having manually rotated shafts and rotors such as ratchet wrenches, ratchet screwdrivers, and the like.

It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide a coupling device for attaching a tool to a drive shaft, wherein a rod is axially movable in the shaft for actuation ofa ball look.

A further object is to provide a coupling device as described wherein the rod is manually movable in the shaft and is provided with spring means biasing the rod to hold the ball is locking position.

Another object is to provide a coupling device as described provided with further spring means to engage the rod and hold the ball in non-locking position.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

in the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pneumatically driven tool holder embodying the invention, with a tool shown detached therefrom.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1, parts being omitted, with the tool shown attached to the tool holder.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to a part of FIG. 2, with parts of the tool holder omitted and other parts shown in different positions from the showing of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG; 2.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an adapter which can be used with the tool holder of FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 7 is a side view partially in section of an extension adapter.

FIG. 8 is a side view partially in section of a ratchet tool holder embodying the invention.

'tached to the shaft.

3,172,675 Patented Mar. 9, 1965 ice Referring first to FIGS. 1-5, there is shown a' power driven gun type tool holder 10 which may be a pneumatically driven device. The tool holder 10 has an outer casting 12 in which is an axially disposed rotatable hollow shaft 14. This shaft can be rotated by passage of air or other fluid through the handle 16 to the rotor 18 at- The rotor 18, valve 19 and fittings 21, 22 associated with the device are conventional and need not be described here since they form no part of the invention.

One end 15 of shaft 14 extends outside of the casing 12 and is rectangular or multilateral in cross section. A radial bore 24 is formed in end 15 of the shaft. This bore has a constriction 26 at its outer end which has a diameter less than that of a ball 28 movable in bore 24.

Part of the ball can extend radially outward of the shaft as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4.

A tool 30 such as a nut wrench having a rectangular or multilateral socket 32 can be engaged on end 15 of the shaft 14. Recesses 33 are formed in the sides of the socket for receiving the part of the ball which extends outwardly of shaft end 15. By this means the tool is locked on the shaft and can be driven thereby as the shaft is rotated.

In order to move the ball radially outward of the shaft there is provided a rod 36 which moves axially in bore 17 of shaft 14. Bore 24 communicates with bore 17. At the end of rod 36 near bore 17 is a radial flange 38 which engages the inner side of the ball as shown in FIG. 2 and holds the ball extended partially out of the bore 24. A coil spring 40 has one end bearing on the adjacent flange end of rod 36. The other end of spring 45) bears on a disk 42 held by a spring ring or retainer 44 engaged in an annular recess 46 in the bore 17. A projecting pin 41 in bore 17 serves as a stop element to limit movement of rod 36 away from ball 28.

A stub shaft 46 extends outwardly of the casing through a hole 48. The shaft is axially movable by manually pressing a button or head 50 engaged on the outer end of shaft 46. A cup bearing 52 is secured on the inner end of stub shaft 46 and has ball bearings 54 receiving and supporting the other end of rod 36. Since rod 36 will tend to rotate with shaft 14 the ball bearings permitfree rotation without interference with shaft 14. At the same time shaft 46 will remain stationary since stub shaft 46 is engaged by a key 47 projecting in groove 49 formed in the stub shaft.

A cover member 56 is pivotally mounted on the casing over head 51? to'prevent manual operation of the head unless the cover-is pivoted away from the head 59 as indicated in FIG. 3. Shaft 46 is axially aligned with rod 36 so that when head 50 and shaft 46 are pressed inwardly of the casing, as shown in FIG. 3, the rod 36 is moved axially to release the ball so that it can be moved radially inward of shaft 14 out of recess 33 in tool 3%). If the pressure on head 50 is relaxed the rod 36 will normally tend to move to looking position in which flange 38 engages ball 28. A spring catch in the form of leaf spring 60 can be provided on casing 12 to engage head 50 as shown in FIG. 3 and hold rod 36 in unlocked position. This spring is secured by pin 61 and has a hooked end 61'. The spring 60 engages the head 50 when the rod is moved to the right as shown in FIG; 3 and'spring 40 is compressed. The head 50 is disengaged from spring hook 61 by manually pulling the head away.

When tool 30 is engaged on the shaft 14 and held by ball 23, it cannot be released unless the rod 36 is moved manually to the right to unlocking position as shown in FIG. 3. Then'the ball 28 moves freely in bore 24 for removing the tool and replacement with another.

FIG. 6 shows an adapter 70 which can be provided for adapting the tool holder to engage a tool having a socket of different size from that of socket 32 in tool 30. This adapter has a body portion 72 formed with a socket 32 provided with recesses 33' to receive ball 28. Socket32' is the same size as socket 32. The adapter has an axial stud 15' of smaller width than shaft end '15. This stud is provided with a transverse bore 75 having a constriction 76 to hold a ball 78 in the bore. A disk 79 bears on the inner side of ball 78. A coil spring 80 and a retainer screw 82 engaged in bore 75 hold the ball 78 against constriction 76 with part of ball 78 extending out of bore 75. The stud 15' has a multilateral construction similar to end 15 of shaft 14 to receive a multilateral socket of a smaller tool than tool 30.

FIG. 7 shows another adapter 70 which has a flatfaced socket 32 identical to socket 32 of tool 30. The adapter 70 has a long shaft or shank 85 which serves as an extension for the tool holder 10. The shaft 85 in effect extends shaft 14. Socket 32 is located at one end of the shaft 85. At its other end, the shaft 85 has a ball lock arrangement similar to that of adapter 70 for engaging a tool thereon. Bore 75 is formed transversely in the other end of shaft 85 and has aconstriction 76 'to hold ball 78 therein. Coil spring 80 bears on the ball and screw 82 holds the spring and ball assembly in the bore 75*. Tool 30 or adapter 70 can be engaged on tool adapter 70 by snapping on the ball lock.

FIG. 8 shows a ratchet tool holder 160 embodying the invention. This tool holder has a handle 102 formed at one with an enlarged fiat casing 104 closed by a cover plate 106. A leaf spring pawl 108 extends radially in the casing and engages ratchet teeth 110 of a ratchet wheel 112. Axial shaft 14 extends outwardly of the wheel through wall 107 of the casing. A rod 36 extends axially through the wheel 112 which is rotatable on the rod. Rod 36 has on one end a flange 38- like flange 38 of rod 36. Coil spring 40 biases the rod and flange away from ball 28 inserted in radial bore 24 The bore has a constriction 26 to hold the ball in the bore with part of the ball extending to engage in a recess 33 of tool socket 32. Button or head 50 is engaged on the other end of rod 36 and can be pushed manually to the right as shown in FIG. 8 for disengaging the flange 38 from the ball. Catch spring 60 holds the rod retracted by engaging the outer side of head 50 as indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 8. A projecting pin 41 inside of rotary shaft 14 serves as a stop element to limit movement of the rod 36 to the left away from ball 28. Ball 28 is released in the same manner as ball 28 when the head 50 is pressed inwardly. toward the tool holder casing. End 15', of shaft 14' is provided with multiple flat faces for engaging in socket 32 of a tool 30.

A characteristic feature of the invention is the extension. of the axially movable manually operable rod through the hollow tool drive shaft of the tool holder. The invention makes possible convenient attachment, detachment and interchanging of tools and adapters to increase the, versatility and range of uses of'the tools and tool holder.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope ofthe invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A tool holder comprising a casing, a shaft rotatably disposed in said casing, said shaft having a multilateral end extending outside of the casing, said shaft having an axial bore extending therethrough and a radial bore communicating with said axial bore at said end of the shaft, said radial bore having a constriction at its outer end, a ball movably disposed in said radial bore, a rod axially movable in said axial bore inside said shaft, manually operable means outside of said casing operatively connected to the rod for moving said rod axially in said shaft, a flange on said rod engageable with the ball to extend part of the ball outside of the end of the shaft, spring means bearing on said rod tending to bias the rod and flange towards the ball, and stop means in said shaft holding the rod in a fixed position with the flange in engagement with said ball when said manual means is released and said spring is expanded.

2. A tool holder comprising a casing, a shaft rotatably disposed in said casing, said shaft having a multilateral end extending outside of the casing, said shaft having an axial bore extending therethrough and a radial bore communicating with said axial bore at said end of the shaft, said radial bore having a constriction at its outer end, a ball movably disposed in said radial bore, a rod axially movable in said axial bore inside said shaft, manually operable means outside of said casing operatively connected to the rod for moving said rod axially in said shaft, a flange on said rod engageable with the ball to extend part of the ball outside of the end of the shaft, spring means bearing on said rod tending to bias the rod and flange towards the ball, stop means in said shaft holding the rod in fixed position with the flange in engagement with said ball when said manual means is released and said spring is expanded, and spring catch means on said casing engageable with said manually operable means for holding said rod in another fixed position with the flange out of engagement with said ball when said manual means is released and said spring is compressed.

3. A tool holder comprising a casing, a power driven shaft rotatably disposed in said casing, handle means secured to the casing for manually supporting the same, said shaft having a multilateral end extending outside of the casing, said shaft having an axial bore extending there-.

through and a radial bore communicating with said axial bore at said end of the shaft, said radial bore having a constriction at its outer end, a ball movably disposed in said radial bore, a rod axially movable in said axial bore inside said shaft, bearing means rotatably supporting said rod, a head outside of the casing connected to said bearing means for moving said rod axially in said shaft, 11 flange on said rod engageable with the ball to extend part of the ball outside of the end of the shaft, spring means bearing on said rod tending to bias the rod and flange toward the ball, and stop means in said shaft holding the rod in fixed position with the flange in engagement with said ball when said head is released and said spring is expanded.

4. A tool holder comprising a casing, a power driven shaft rotatably disposed in said casing, handle means secured to the casing for manually supporting the same, said shaft having a multilateral end extending outside of the casing, said shaft having an axial bore extending therethrough and a radial bore communicating with said axial bore at said end of the shaft, said radial bore having a constriction at its outer end, a ball movably disposed in said radial bore, a rod axially movable in said axial bore inside said shaft, bearing means rotatably supporting said rod, a head outside of the casing connected to said bearing means for moving said rod axially in said shaft, a flange on said rod engageable with the ball to extend part of the ball outside of the end of the shaft, spring means hearing on said rod tending to bias the rod and flange toward the ball, and stop means in said shaft holding the rod in fixed position with the flange in engagement with said ball when said head is released and said spring is expanded, and catch means on said casing engageable with said head for holding said rod in another fixed position with the flange out of engagement with said ball when said manual means is released and said spring is compressed.

5. A tool holder comprising a casing, a driven shaft rotatably disposed in said casing, ratchet means rotatably supported on said shaft in said casing, handle means secured to the casing for manually supporting the same, said shaft having a multilateral end extending outside of the casing, said shaft having an axial bore extending therethrough and a radial bore communicating with said axial bore at said end of the shaft, said radial bore having a constriction at its outer end, a ball movably disposed in said radial bore, a rod axially movable in said axial bore inside said shaft, a head outside of said casing connected to said rod for moving the same axially in said shaft, a flange on said rod engageable with the ball to extend part of the ball outside of the end of the shaft, spring means bearing on said rod tending to bias the rod and flange toward the ball, and stop means in said shaft holding the rod in a fixed position with the flange in engagement with said ball when said head is released and said spring is expanded.

6. A tool holder comprising a casing, a driven shaft rotatably disposed in said casing, ratchet means rotatably supported on said shaft in said casing, handle means secured to the casing for manually supporting the same, said shaft having a multilateral end extending outside of the casing, said shaft having an axial bore extending therethrough and a radial bore communicating with said axial bore at said end of the shaft, said radial bore having a constriction at its outer end, a ball movably disposed in said radial bore, a rod axially movable in said axial bore inside said shaft, a head outside of said casing connected to said rod for moving the same axially in said shaft, a flange on said rod engageable with the ball to extend part of the ball outside of the end of the shaft, spring means bearing on said rod tending to bias the rod and flange toward the ball, stop means in said shaft holding the rod in a fixed position with the flange in engagement with said ball when said head is released and said spring is expanded, and catch means on said casing engageable with said head for holding said rod in another fixed position with the flange out of engagement with said ball When said manual means is released and said spring is compressed.

7. A tool holder comprising a casing, a driven shaft rotatably disposed in said casing, handle means secured to the casing for manually supporting the same, said shaft having a multilateral end extending outside of the casing, said shaft having an axial bore extending therethrough and a radial bore communicating with said axial bore at said end of the shaft, said radial bore having a constriction at its outer end, a ball movably disposed in said radial bore, a rod axially movable in said axial bore inside said shaft, a head outside of said casing connected to said rod for moving the same axially in said shaft, a flange on said rod engageable with the ball to extend part of the ball outside of the end of the shaft, spring means bearing on said rod tending to bias the rod and flange toward the ball, and stop means in said shaft holding the rod in a fixed position with the flange in engagement with said ball when said head is released and said spring is expanded.

8. A tool holder comprising a casing, a driven shaft rotatably disposed in said casing, handle means secured to the casing for manually supporting the same, said shaft having a multilateral end extending outside of the casing, said shaft having an axial bore extending therethrough and a radial bore communicating with said axial bore at said end of the shaft, said radial bore having a constriction at its outer end, a ball movably disposed in said radial bore, a rod axially movable in said axial bore inside said shaft, 21 head outside of said casing connected to said rod for moving the same axially in said shaft, a flange on said rod engageable with the ball to extend part of the ball outside of the end of the shaft, spring means bearing on said rod tending to bias the rod and flange toward the ball, stop means in said shaft holding the rod in a fixed position with the flange in engagement with said ball when said head is released and said spring is expanded, and catch means on said casing engageable with said head for holding said rod in another fixed position With the flange out of engagement with said ball when said manual means is released and said spring is compressed.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,154,738 4/39 Fisher 279-76 2,538,919 1/51 Shaff 287-119 2,896,985 7/59 Braatz 287-119 2,987,334 6/61 Wendling 279-76 2,990,189 6/61 Beers 279-76 3,011,794 12/61 Vaughn 279-76 3,065,011 11/62 De Pew 287-119 FRANK SUSKO, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT C. RIORDON, Examiner. 

7. A TOOL HOLDER COMPRISING A CASING, A DRIVEN SHAFT ROTATABLY DISPOSED IN SAID CASING, HANDLE MEANS SECURED TO THE CASING FOR MANUALLY SUPPORTING THE SAME, SAID SHAFT HAVING A MULTILATERAL END EXTENDING OUTSIDE OF THE CASING, SAID SHAFT HAVING AN AXIAL BORE EXTENDING THERETHROUGH AND A RADIAL BORE COMMUNICATING WITH SAID AXIAL BORE AT SAID END OF THE SHAFT, SAID RADIAL BORE HAVING A CONSTRICTION AT ITS OUTER END, A BALL MOVABLY DISPOSED IN SAID RADIAL BORE, A ROD AXIALLY MOVABLE IN SAID AXIAL BORE INSIDE SAID SHAFT, A HEAD OUTSIDE OF SAID CASING CONNECTED TO SAID ROD FOR MOVING THE SAME AXIALLY IN SAID SHAFT, A FLANGE ON SAID ROD ENGAGEABLE WITH THE BALL TO EXTEND PART OF THE BALL OUTSIDE OF THE END OF THE SHAFT, SPRING MEANS BEARING ON SAID ROD TENDING TO BIAS THE ROD AND FLANGE TOWARD THE BALL, AND STOP MEANS IN SAID SHAFT HOLDING THE ROD IN A FIXED POSITION WITH THE FLANGE IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID BALL WHEN SAID HEAD IS RELEASED AND SAID SPRING IS EXPANDED. 